REBUILD KANSAI FOOD CULTURE: BUSINESS LEADER7/31/2007
Atsushi Kojima, co-chairman of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, spoke of food culture in Kansai at a regular Kansai Press Club luncheon on July 2. 'The basics of Japanese dishes lie in Osaka's taste. Osaka people are most particular about food,'said Kojima, chairman of Ganko Food Service Co.
In the speech focused on food business, Kojima first proposed early introduction of 'Kansai State'with Kyoto as a capital and then said, 'Food is one of the industries through which Kansai can send out information to the world. It is necessary to rebuild within the framework of culture Kansai's food that varies from ingredients to cooking depending on the four seasons.'
Kojima said that even in a sluggish economy, the food service industry has been expanding with 35,000 new restaurants - 5% of all 700,000 restaurants in Japan - opening each year. 'Annually, 5,000 people go to Italy and France for training as cooks, and if they open restaurants after returning home, that can contribute to economic vitalization,'he said. Referring to revitalization of the restructuring-oriented Kansai economy, he said, 'Not only food service operators but also management of other industries should have more confidence. Innovation is what is hoped for in the future.'
From Kansai Window Kippo News July 18th, 2007